KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Home Minister Aryal vows to reopen politically shelved investigation files
Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal has stated that all investigation files previously halted due to political interference will now be reopened. Speaking to journalists following an inspection of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police, Minister Aryal emphasized the government’s commitment to good governance, peace, and security—especially in the lead-up to upcoming elections. “All files that were stopped or disrupted due to political connections will now move forward,” he stated. “This will not be allowed to continue.”
Finance Ministry launches digital approval system for all official comments
The Ministry of Finance initiated a digital approval system for all official comments, marking a significant shift from traditional paper-based procedures. Finance Minister Rameshwor Khanal announced that the digital approval process officially began today. Until now, government offices have relied solely on paper documents for comment approvals. However, the recent Gen-Z movement led to the destruction of a large number of government files and documents by fire, highlighting the vulnerabilities of the current system. With the launch of the digital system, the Ministry expects to enhance the security and preservation of official records by storing them safely in a centralized data center.
Finance Ministry engages donor community on economic priorities after political transition
The Ministry of Finance on Friday held a meeting with heads and representatives of local donor agencies to discuss Nepal’s recent political changes and the economic roadmap of the new government. Finance Minister Rameshwor Khanal thanked development partners for their continued support to Nepal’s socio-economic development and outlined the immediate priorities of the interim government. He emphasized transparency, accountability, a corruption-free society, and strengthening the rule of law as key commitments in line with the aspirations of Nepal’s youth.
NRB issues new directive: Loan rescheduling and concessional loans for businesses affected by Gen-Z protests
Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has amended its unified directive to provide relief measures for industries, businesses, enterprises, and borrowers affected by the Gen-Z protests of September 9. The revised directive allows loan rescheduling and restructuring, adjustments in vehicle loan-to-value ratios, and concessional loans for directly affected borrowers.
Energy Minister and EU Ambassador discuss hydropower and green energy cooperation
Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Kulman Ghising held a courtesy meeting with Veronique Lorenzo, Ambassador of the European Union to Nepal, at Singha Durbar on Friday. During the meeting, Ambassador Lorenzo extended congratulations and best wishes for Ghising’s successful tenure. Discussions focused on Nepal’s energy priorities, including reservoir-based hydropower projects of strategic importance, green energy development, energy security and efficiency, and further EU assistance in the sector.
Education Minister issues directive to CTEVT
Minister for Education, Science and Technology Mahabir Pun has directed the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT) to immediately implement a four-point set of reforms aimed at improving technical and vocational education. Pun, who also chairs the council, instructed CTEVT to revise existing curricula by incorporating innovation and to submit a draft framework by October 17. He also ordered the creation of a unified academic calendar and mandated that examination results must be published within three months.
Communication Minister Jagadish Kharel visits injured Gen-Z protesters
Minister for Communication and Information Technology Jagadish Kharel visited injured protesters at the Teaching Hospital who were wounded during the Gen-Z protests on September 8 and 9. Kharel met with those undergoing treatment, showing support and inquiring about their condition.
Janak Raj Sharma sworn in as chairman of Nepal Insurance Authority
Newly appointed chair of the Nepal Insurance Authority, Janak Raj Sharma, took the oath of office on Friday before Finance Minister Rameshwor Khanal. The Cabinet meeting on Thursday had decided to appoint Sharma as the head of the regulatory body.
Narayangadh–Muglin road reopens fully
After being blocked multiple times over the past week for a total of 105 hours, the Narayangadh–Muglin road section has now reopened, with traffic flowing smoothly since Thursday night. The road had remained obstructed for several days due to recurring landslides at Tuin Khola, beginning Friday. According to Narayan Lamichhane, Chief of the Division Road Office in Chitwan, two-way traffic resumed at 11:35 PM on Thursday after debris from the landslide was cleared.
Prachanda: I am no longer Maoist chair, now the coordinator
Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said he is no longer the chair of the CPN (Maoist Centre) but now serves as the coordinator of the party’s Special Convention Organizing Committee. Speaking to the media after the conclusion of the central committee meeting on Friday, Prachanda said the committee had been dissolved and the decision to hold a special convention in Mangsir was endorsed.
Govt accepts over $15 million in international climate and agriculture grants
The government has decided to accept more than USD 15 million in international grant assistance aimed at supporting environmental restoration, climate-resilient farming, and sustainable livelihoods. Announcing the Cabinet decisions on Friday at Singha Durbar, government spokesperson and Minister for Communication and Information Technology Jagadish Kharel said the funding would be mobilized through United Nations agencies.
Prachanda announces property disclosure of all Maoist leaders
Chair of the CPN (Maoist Center), Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda,’ has announced that all party leaders will be required to make their assets public. Addressing the party’s seventh central committee meeting, Prachanda said a property investigation commission will be formed, and the assets of all leaders will be disclosed.
Maoist Center dissolves central committee, to hold special convention in December
The central committee of the CPN (Maoist Center) has been dissolved. The decision was made during the party’s seventh central committee meeting in Kathmandu, which concluded Friday. The move follows a proposal by party chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda.’ As per the proposal, the party will convene a special convention in December. The meeting also decided to form a convention organizing committee under Prachanda’s coordination.
Probe commission seeks damage details from Gen-Z protests
The inquiry commission formed under former judge Gauri Bahadur Karki to investigate the September 8 and 9 protests has called for detailed reports of damages caused during the incidents. At its first meeting held on Thursday after establishing an office at the Department of Climate and Research in Babarmahal, the commission decided to collect damage details from the Supreme Court, the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), and other government offices through the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Russian Ambassador Novikov pays farewell courtesy call on Vice President Yadav
Russian Ambassador to Nepal Aleksei Novikov paid a farewell courtesy call on Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav on Friday at the Vice President’s Office in Lainchaur. During the meeting, Vice President Yadav highlighted the friendly relations between Nepal and Russia since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1956, noting they have been based on mutual respect and cooperation. He congratulated Ambassador Novikov on the successful completion of his tenure and praised his role in strengthening bilateral ties.
Japanese Ambassador pays courtesy call on Minister Ghising
Japanese Ambassador to Nepal, Toru Maeda, paid a courtesy call on Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development, Kulman Ghising, at Singha Durbar on Thursday. During the meeting, Ambassador Maeda congratulated Minister Ghising on his appointment and extended best wishes for a successful tenure, according to the minister’s secretariat.
Govt staged a massacre, alleges former intelligence chief on Gen-Z protests
Former chief of the National Intelligence Department, Deviram Sharma, has alleged that the government carried out a premeditated crackdown on the September 8 and 9 Gen-Z protests despite having prior knowledge of the demonstrations. Speaking at a program attended by former President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Sharma claimed that the government had intelligence about the scale and nature of the protests but chose to ignore it.
Gold prices up Rs 1,200
The price of gold has gone up by Rs 1,200 per tola. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association, the price of gold has been set at Rs 222,500. Similarly, the price of silver has also gone up and is being sold for Rs 2,740 per tola.
Tourist spots in Myagdi deserted during peak season
Popular tourist destinations in Myagdi district have been unusually deserted during what is typically the peak season for tourism. Hotels and tourism entrepreneurs, who would normally be busy welcoming a high volume of guests in the months of October and November, are facing a sharp decline in visitors this year. According to Rajan Lama, a hotel entrepreneur in Beni, the tourism business has been significantly affected due to transportation disruptions caused by the Gen-Z movement movement and landslides along key roadways, including the Narayanghat-Muglin and Muglin-Kathmandu routes that connect to the capital, Kathmandu.
Woman with Interpol red corner notice arrested in UAE
Police have arrested a woman wanted on an Interpol red notice in connection with a fraud case from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and brought her to Nepal. The arrested individual has been identified as Aishwarya Dahal, a resident of Sindhuli Kamalamai Municipality-14 and Janakpurdham Sub-metropolitan City-16, Dhanusha, according to Central Police Spokesperson and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Binod Ghimire. “The woman had been absconding after Interpol issued a red notice against her in connection with a fraud case. Police arrested her in the UAE and brought her back to Nepal for legal proceedings,” DIG Ghimire said.
Education Minister Pun issues four-point directive to CTEVT
Minister for Education, Science, and Technology Mahabir Pun has issued a four-point directive to the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT) for immediate implementation. Minister Pun, who also serves as the chairperson of the council, has instructed the preparation of a blueprint to reform the existing curriculum by incorporating innovation. The blueprint must be submitted by mid-October.
Exports from Birgunj surge 181% in first two months of fiscal year
Goods worth Rs 17.3 billion were exported through the Birgunj border checkpoint in the first two months of the current fiscal year. This marks an increase of over Rs 10.98 billion compared to the same period last fiscal year, when exports totaled Rs 6.5 billion. According to Bishnu Prasad Gyawali, Chief Customs Administrator at the Birgunj Customs Office, the rise in exports during this period has been encouraging.
Koshi Highway blocked for fifth day due to landslides
The Koshi Highway remained obstructed for the past five days following landslides triggered by continuous rainfall. According to the Police Headquarters, landslides in Sankhuwasabha have blocked two key sections of the highway: one at Varun in Bhotkhola Rural Municipality-4, and another at Ekua in Makalu Rural Municipality-3. Both stretches have been closed since September 21. Similarly, the Pasang Lhamu Highway, which links Nepal with China via Rasuwagadhi, also remained disrupted.
Rabies infections increasing in Sudurpaschim Province
Rabies infections are on the rise in Nepal’s Sudurpaschim Province, creating a significant challenge for disease control. According to Naresh Prasad Joshi, Senior Veterinarian at the Animal and Poultry Disease Research Laboratory in Dhangadhi, rabies was confirmed in 136 out of 170 samples collected during the fiscal year 2024/25. The highest number of cases was recorded in Kailali, where 78 out of 98 samples tested positive. Kanchanpur followed, with 43 out of 53 samples confirmed positive. Other districts reporting positive cases include Achham (5 out of 7), Bajhang (3), and Doti (6 out of 8).
Nepal set to face West Indies in T20 Series starting Saturday
The first match of the historic T20 series between the Nepali national cricket team and reigning world champions West Indies will be played this Saturday at the UAE Cricket Ground. The Nepali team, which arrived in the UAE on Monday, is currently engaged in practice sessions, according to the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN). Led by captain Rohit Kumar Poudel, the squad includes Dipendra Singh Airee (vice-captain), Kushal Bhurtel, Lokesh Bam, Kushal Malla, Asif Sheikh, Adil Alam, Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Sandeep Lamichhane, Sandeep Jora, Arif Sheikh, Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, and Sahab Alam.
Over 8,000 escaped prisoners return; 1,500 still at large
Out of 14,549 prisoners who escaped from 28 jails and nine reformatories across the country, 8,054 have returned, according to the Department of Prison Management. Among those who have returned, 7,713 escaped from prisons and 341 from reformatories. Director Chomindra Neupane stated that while some prisoners returned voluntarily, others were apprehended and brought back by security forces. As of now, 6,494 prisoners remain at large—5,872 from prisons and 622 from reformatories. Authorities confirm that search operations are ongoing.
International Day for Nuclear Disarmament marked today
The International Day for Nuclear Disarmament was observed today in various countries around the world through awareness programs focused on the complete elimination of nuclear weapons. This day has been observed annually since 2013, following a call by the United Nations. However, the first resolution on global nuclear disarmament was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly back in 1946. According to the UN, approximately 12,241 nuclear weapons still exist across several nations today.
Tourist arrivals in Bandipur plunge amid post-protest uncertainty
Once a festive season hotspot teeming with visitors, Bandipur is experiencing a sharp drop in tourist arrivals this Dashain–Tihar, leaving local businesses anxious about the future of its tourism revival campaign. In previous years, the hilltop town bustled with more than a thousand visitors daily during Dashain, filling hotels and homestays to near full capacity. Even up until mid-Bhadra this year, occupancy hovered around 100 percent. But following the protests on September 8 and 9, tourism in Bandipur has slumped dramatically.
Local government associations demand Bagmati Province coordination council meeting
Three key local government umbrella bodies on Thursday submitted a memorandum to Bagmati Province Chief Minister Indra Bahadur Baniya, urging him to convene a long-overdue meeting of the Province Coordination Council. The memorandum was jointly presented by the National Association of Rural Municipalities in Nepal (Bagmati chapter), the Municipal Association of Nepal, and the Federation of District Coordination Committees of Bagmati Province.
Variety testing of 38 coffee types underway in Gulmi
A variety testing program involving 38 different types of coffee has been launched in Gulmi under the Coffee Research Program, using organic cultivation methods. The research is being carried out in Rurukshetra Rural Municipality, covering an area of 200 ropanis. Janardan Gautam, Head and Senior Scientist of the Coffee Research Program in Gulmi, said that a proposal has already been submitted to the Seed and Quality Control Center to recommend three coffee varieties for wider cultivation.
Damaged UML central office safe to use
Engineers have concluded that the CPN-UML central office building in Chyasal, Lalitpur, damaged during the recent Gen-Z protests, can be made safe for use after retrofitting. According to UML central committee member Niraj Acharya, the engineering assessment found that seven rooms could be reinforced through retrofitting, while one rooftop section would need to be rebuilt.
Comment